Planning Ideas Around Retirement Accounts

Several new planning opportunities have been created by the CARES Act, the SECURE Act and the subsequent IRS guidance related to how these are affected by the extension of the tax deadline.

In this article, we would like to share with you several of those planning opportunities. If any of the corresponding statements below are relevant to you, then you can easily scroll down to view them:

1) I have taken or may have to take my required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020.

2) I may need to access funds from my retirement accounts unexpectedly due to this year’s economic downturn.

3) I might consider doing a Roth conversion in 2020 either because my income is lower than usual, or the values of my traditional IRA have declined.

Scenario 1:

I have taken or may have to take my required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020.

What Are the RMD Rule Changes?

The SECURE Act increased the age of required minimum distributions (RMDs) for those who turn 70½ after 12/31/2019 to the age of 72. The CARES Act suspended RMDs during 2020. The suspension applies to traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k), 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans for both retirement account owners and inherited IRA beneficiaries. It includes any 2019 RMDs due by April 1, 2020, as well as all 2020 RMDs due this calendar year.

Making Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)?

You can still do so, up to a maximum of $100,000 per individual. The only change is that there is no RMD to satisfy for 2020.

Reversing Your Already Taken 2020 RMDs

Professional commentary and many accountants are suggesting that RMDs taken after February 1 may be reversed and put back into an IRA before July 15.

Our advisors can help you talk through how best to handle RMDs that have already been taken. The CARES Act may provide relief to those who took an unwanted RMD on February 1 or later and extends the time to roll back those funds into a retirement account until July 15. However, you cannot reverse any RMD already taken in 2020 from an inherited IRA account. Future RMDs in 2021 and beyond will be due as usual.

Additionally, if the RMD suspension allows a retiree to be in a lower tax bracket than expected, with lower IRA values due to the market volatility, it may be an opportune time to discuss strategic partial or complete Roth conversions of IRA assets.

I may need to access funds from my retirement accounts unexpectedly due to this year’s economic downturn.

I have been directly affected by the coronavirus and need funds.

Take it out on loan

The CARES Act expands the maximum 401(k) loan amount to $100,000 for employer-sponsored retirement accounts. The CARES Act further amends the vested balance that may be used from 50% to 100% of the vested balance, up to $100,000. Payments owed on the loan may be deferred up to one year.

Take an early distribution

The CARES Act allows for individuals who have been directly affected by the coronavirus to access their retirement accounts without the usual 10% early withdrawal penalty for up to $100,000 of retirement funds for those who are under 59½. For those older, there is not a penalty on withdrawals.

However, you would still owe income taxes on the amount withdrawn at your ordinary income tax bracket. The distributions can be repaid over three years, and by default, taxes are spread evenly over 2020, 2021 and 2022. Due to the taxable nature of this withdrawal, we would recommend it as a last resort if you cannot access a loan, or do not expect to be able to repay the loan from future income.

Scenario 3:

I might consider doing a Roth conversion in 2020 either because my income is lower than usual, or the values of my traditional IRA have declined.

Many are considering partial or complete conversions of their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs. The reason this is attractive now is that with the value of the IRA assets lower than they used to be, the cost of converting them to Roth IRA assets from a tax standpoint has declined. By converting, the assets move from an account that will be taxed at ordinary income rates in retirement to a tax-free account.

In addition, many individuals are projected to be in a lower tax bracket in 2020 than they have been in previous years. A lower tax bracket in 2020 would have the effect of making Roth conversions less costly as well. If you are finding yourself in a tax bracket in the table below, a conversation with your advisor may be warranted.

Please contact me if you would like to discuss any of these scenarios and how they might impact your financial plan.

Meet With Your Advisor

It is important to let us know when you have any changes in your investment objectives or financial circumstances. It is also important to review your account beneficiaries each year to make sure that no personal changes need to be made and the primary and contingent beneficiary designations are up to date and accurate. To notify us about any such changes that have occurred since we last met with you, please contact our office and schedule a meeting with your advisor.

PR Wealth Management Group, Inc. a Registered Investment Advisor, doing business as Legacy Wealth Management Group of Las Vegas, LLC. PR Wealth Management Group, Inc. only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or notice filed, or excluded or exempted from registration requirements. PR Wealth Management Group, Inc. and Legacy Wealth Management Group of Las Vegas, LLC. are not affiliated companies. The home office is located at 990 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 4., East Moline, IL. 61244. The Las Vegas branch is located at 8235 S. Eastern Ave. Suite 160., Las Vegas, NV. 89123. Before making investment decisions please call our office at 702.545.0680 to receive a copy of PR Wealth’s Advisory Agreement and Form ADV Part 2A, which includes PR Wealth’s fee schedule. This information is intended to serve as a basis for further discussion with your professional advisors. Although great effort has been taken to provide accurate numbers and explanations, this information should not be relied upon for making investment decisions. Web: www.Legacywmglv.com

Greg Feese CRPC®, Investment Advisor Representative. Advisory Services offered through PR Wealth Management Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. PR Wealth Management Group, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser, doing business as Legacy Wealth Management Group of Las Vegas, LLC. PR Wealth Management Group, Inc. only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or notice filed, or excluded or exempted from registration requirements. This is not a solicitation for sale of securities in any jurisdiction.. The investment advisory representatives referred to on this site may only transact business, effect transactions in securities, or render personalized investment advice for compensation, in compliance with state registration requirements, or an applicable exemption or exclusion.

Notice and Disclaimer

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these websites. Nor is the company liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this website.